Pa. Gov. Seeks Quicker Ruling in Gay Marriage Case

Gov. Tom Corbett is now asking a federal judge to decide a constitutional challenge to Pennsylvania’s law banning same-sex marriage without a trial.

Corbett’s administration, which is defending the law’s constitutionality, made the filings Monday night in federal court. That was about 10 hours after plaintiffs’ lawyers requested a decision without a trial.

Lawyers representing a widow, 11 gay couples and one of the couples’ two teenage daughters first challenged the 18-year-old law last July.

They say a trial is no longer necessary because the state’s lawyers haven’t refuted their clients’ claims about their relationships and their inability to get the same legal protection and tax benefits afforded to married couples.

Judge John E. Jones III had set a June 9 trial date. A decision isn’t expected before May 12.

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